Home network system augmentation with remote guidance and local set up and monitoring

ABSTRACT

A network including powerline adapters (“PLAs”) of the HomePlug Alliance variety or similar implementations such as the European in Opera standard provides for diagnostic capability and software enhanced powerline adapters. The diagnostic capability includes collecting network performance data and either analyzing or forwarding data for analysis. In addition, mechanical design for the PLA with an isolating filter provides for secure mounting while blocking access to a second wall outlet of a duplex unit.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/028,738 filed Feb. 8, 2008, and entitled “HOME NETWORK SYSTEMAUGMENTATION WITH REMOTE GUIDANCE AND LOCAL SET UP AND MONITORING”,which is a Non-Provisional of Application No.: 60/889,235 filed Feb. 9,2007 and entitled “METHODS AND APPARATUS RELATED TO POWER LINE ADAPTERSAND DIGITAL HOME COMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS”.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application relates to a network including powerline adapters(“PLAs”) of the HomePlug Alliance variety or similar implementations.The technology disclosed provides diagnostic capability and softwareenhanced powerline adapters. The diagnostic capability includescollecting network performance data and either analyzing or forwardingdata for analysis and providing corrective feedback information. Inaddition, mechanical design for the PLA with an isolating filterprovides secure mounting and protective access while blocking plug inaccess to the second wall outlet of a duplex electric socket.

There are a variety of technologies that home, small business andbuilding owners can use to provide users with network access. Wiredtechnologies include coaxial cable and CAT 5 network wiring. Wirelesstechnologies include the IEEE 802.11 family of standards and adapters tocellular networks. A relatively new contender for network access withina building is attaching powerline adapters to wall outlets and powerlines. With PLAs, existing building wiring can be used to distributeencrypted network traffic in much the same way that wireless accesspoints are used.

There are at least three incompatible standards for PLAs. The leadingstandard in the United States is sponsored by the HomePlug Alliance, onthe Internet at www.HomePlug.org. The mission of the Alliance is toenable and promote rapid availability, adoption and implementation ofcost effective, interoperable and standards-based home powerlinenetworks and products. The PLAs described herein are of the HomePlug AVvariety unless otherwise noted, but could be implemented to comply withother standards. Underlying these standards is a physical layer thatsends and receives digital information as orthogonal frequency divisionmultiplexed (“OFDM”) symbols in the frequency range of 0.6 to 30megahertz. There are about 1500 separate channels in this frequencyrange, not all of which are available for data transmission. Some arereserved for housekeeping, for error correction and some not used toavoid transmitting in the radio amateur band. The raw signaling rate forthe HomePlug AV specification is 200 megabits per second. This assumes avery high signal-to-noise ratio transmission path able to supporttransmission of 10 bits per tone. With forward error correction (“FEC”)and other overhead requirements the maximum data rate is closer to 150megabits per second. As these powerline adapters use 100 Mbps Ethernetconnections to PCs, the maximum data rate between these PLAs is limitedto 100 megabits per second. In practice a reasonable expectation foractual performance in most homes and other buildings (collectively “thehome”) with a clean circuit is on the order of 30 to 50 Mbps. Even in arelatively noisy installation, 10 Mbps should be achievable overexisting wiring.

There have been several versions of the HomePlug standard over timestarting with 14 Mbps claimed, then a few years later, 85 Mbps, and mostrecently the HomePlug AV claimed to operate at 200 Mbps. The generationshave different features and do not work well together. The HomePlugunits follow a consistent protocol of avoiding collisions acrossgenerations of HomePlug units, but international suppliers that usetotally different collision avoidance strategies have sold units in theU.S. which are essentially a noise source to those using the HomePlug AVstandard, and vice versa. Thus, a user may buy an advertised unitwithout realizing that it is not compatible with other units alreadybeing used in the home. Incompatible units will not interact with oneother and incompatible collision avoidance strategies reduce performanceof the entire network. It is useful to identify incompatible units assources of noise and eliminate the noise.

Every home is different. Two common problems found in homes are signalattenuation by devices connected near the powerline adapter, such asthose using switching power supplies that generate RF noise in thespectrum of interest and use capacitors to limit RF noise, and noisefrom devices such as vacuum cleaners, microwave ovens and hair driersthat conflicts with the OFDM signal spectrum. Resolution of the sourceof noise problems in a powerline installation is made more difficult bynoise coming from devices that are turned on and off such as hairdryers, vacuum cleaners or many different electrical appliances.Intermittent problems are difficult to diagnose and correct.

Another group of issues relates to use of multiple circuit breaker boxesin larger and newer homes. These cause significant signal reduction.While these difficulties can be resolved by a skilled technician,troubleshooting a powerline communications system is often beyond thecapability and/or patience of the average home network user. As aresult, in many home network sales today, technicians are employed toset up systems initially and resolve problems. But, the cost of “setupand repair” services is relatively high, especially compared to thenetwork unit costs. The typical cost of a “truck roll” in 2007 is on theorder of $200.

Given these issues, a need exists for an automated remote diagnosticcapability for measuring and improving the performance of a homeinstalled powerline adapter network and to minimize home visits bytechnicians. Better, more easily configured, and more resilient systemsmay result.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This application relates to a network including powerline adapters(“PLAs”) of the HomePlug Alliance variety or similar implementations.The technology disclosed provides remote diagnostic capability andsoftware enhanced powerline adapters. The diagnostic capability includescollecting network performance data and either analyzing or forwardingdata for analysis. In addition, mechanical design for the PLA with anisolating filter provides for secure mounting while blocking access to asecond wall outlet of a duplex unit. Particular aspects of the presentinvention are described in the claims, specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an environment in which PLAs are useful.

FIG. 2 is a simplified schematic that shows an isolation filter(Isolator) and outlets coupled to a PLA.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are front and rear isometric views of two embodiments ofenclosures housing a combination of an isolation filter, outlets and aPLA.

FIG. 5 is a cutaway view of an embodiment that combines an isolationfilter, and outlet and a PLA.

FIG. 6 is a rear isometric view of an embodiment with a sliding captureplate in a use orientation for semi-permanent mounting of the device.

FIG. 6A is a view of similar to that of FIG. 6 with the mounting platein an install orientation;

FIG. 6B illustrates parts of an electrical outlet within an opening of awall;

FIG. 6C illustrates a number of examples of different mounting slots;

FIG. 6D is a side view of a replacement cover plate mounting screw;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart from initial customer input, through procurement,troubleshooting and resolution.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart for set up of the PLAs through diagnosis, withoptions or subsets in the right-hand column.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of steps that may precede setup of PLAs.

FIG. 10 is a simplified block diagram of a diagnostic device incommunication with PLAs and a user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is made with reference to thefigures. Preferred embodiments are described to illustrate the presentinvention, not to limit its scope, which is defined by the claims. Thoseof ordinary skill in the art will recognize a variety of equivalentvariations on the description that follows.

We disclose technology that permits troublesome issues to be remotelyspotted and corrected, thereby allowing powerline adapters to be used inplaces where they would not otherwise be considered. There are many sidebenefits to remote troubleshooting. For example, many homecommunications devices are purchased and returned to the stores wherethey were bought because of the difficulty in getting the units toperform as intended. When networks perform reliably and at intendedspeeds, such product returns are minimized.

One attraction of powerline adapters is that every electrical poweroutlet in a home or office is a potential broadband connection. It hasbeen estimated that there are about three cable outlets, four telephoneoutlets and more than 50 electrical outlets in a home. Using theelectrical outlets for signal distribution increases the reach ofsystems that can distribute VOIP, data, and digital TV.

Diagnostic Issues

Diagnosing a network is a complex task, typically left to trainedexperts. Diagnostics usually implies finding the cause of a fault,fixing the fault, and having the system work thereafter. Diagnosis of apowerline analog transmission network must deal with shades of grayissues and not necessarily faults, as they are degree of performanceissues. Because some problems are intermittent, it is desirable for asystem to be continuously monitored, so any new imperfections can bedetected and addressed as rapidly as possible.

Continuous monitoring allows rapid diagnosis and advice generation. Evenwhen a network seems to be working well to the user, the remotediagnostic center can be on the lookout for ways to make it work better.The remote diagnostic center can capture intermittent sources ofinterference and compile performance data over time. This allowsimproved diagnosis based on past experience. For a sophisticated user,data compilation and automated diagnosis software can be delivered todesktop computer, instead of relying on a remote center.

Noise and attenuation are the two primary causes of poor performance ina power line network. A common cause of poor performance is plugging thePLA into the same electrical wall socket as a computer or similar devicewith an electronic power supply. The conductive line noise filter in acomputer and similar devices tends to short out radio frequency (“RF”)signals from PLA units. PLA manufacturers generally warn users in theirinstruction manuals to avoid plugging computers or power stripscontaining surge protectors into the same wall socket as the PLA.Computers and surge protectors tend to have large capacitors across thepower line. The low impedance of these capacitors in the frequency rangeof interest can effectively short-circuit the RF signals from the PLA.Since PLA units typically include an Ethernet connector, it is highlylikely that this will be positioned near a computer, peripheral deviceor power strip. Even power strips with surge protectors includecapacitors across the line that can cause significant loss ofperformance for PLA signals. While the user is advised not to connecttheir computer to the same power socket as the PLA and to use some othersocket, these words are not often regarded very seriously. In olderhomes the “other” wall socket tends to be on the opposite side of theroom, and often further away than the line cord of the computer or powerstrip will reach. Few users tolerate wires strung across the room whenthere is an unused socket in a duplex wall outlet. As a result, it isunderstandable that many users will observe this instruction in the PLAmanual about as often as they observe the instruction in television setmanuals to unplug their TV sets during a lightning storm to preventpossible lightning damage. Consequentially, there is often a source ofsignal attenuation present that the user ignores, because they find itso hard to believe that connecting two outlets on the same circuit onlya few meters apart could result in different performance.

Noise is the other primary cause for poor performance. The table below,from Canete et al., “Broadband modeling of indoor power-line channels”,IEEE Trans. on Consumer Electronics, Vol. 48, No. 1, Feb 2002, p. 177,indicates the nature of some of the more common noise sources in a home.

Noise Emission Levels, dBm at 1 kHz Mean Std. Vacuum cleaner −66.2 6.0Microwave oven −69.2 10.3 Hair Dryer −72.0 8.2 Light dimmer −77.4 12.7M.O (oven mode) −78.9 12.5 Iron −81.5 11.5 Heater −84.3 13.9 PersonalComputer −87.9 7.2 Washing Machine −89.6 12.0 TV −90.1 6.6 Refrigerator−102.5 9.4 Oven −104.2 10.8 Toaster −106.8 8.5

From this table, it appears that 60 dBm of isolation will be effectiveagainst most noise sources. In one embodiment, this is the design pointof the Isolator filter.

These inventors found a way to solve a long felt need to improve PLAnetwork deployment. They observe the ratio between the sending andreceiving channel capacity measurements at each node in the PLA networkrelative to the other nodes and uniquely identify the likely locationsof noise sources. When the input and output data rates vastly differ,they believe that this implies that an electrical noise source is at ornear the node in question. This is because a node sets the rates atwhich it will receive data. A low receive rate, relative to thetransmission rate, which corresponds to low bit loading of OFDM tones orchannels, is a likely indicator of a local noise source. Analysissoftware built into an enhanced PLA uses this observation for localizingand reporting the presence of a noise source.

Further diagnostic information can be developed by examining thespectrum in use. The “Tone Map” which is a part of the HomePlug AVStandard carries information about the number of bits that each OFDMtone can carry. Bit loading inversely correlates to the noise levelpresent. Further information is obtained by using the recorded knowledgeof the start and stop times for intermittent noise sources. Other causesof reduced channel capacity include the presence of incompatible PLAunits and attenuation by multiple circuit breaker boxes. Mixing HomePlugAV compliant devices together with PLAs following different standardscan be detected by observing the received Tone Maps. The transmittedspectra have different standards. The diagnostic plan searches forincompatible units.

Understanding the impact of multiple circuit breaker boxes in a homeenhances diagnostic insight capabilities. The conventional wisdom isthat when PLA signals traverse an electric revenue meter, the signalswill be attenuated by .about.20+dB. Thus, two electric meters in series,as in the case of signals going from one house to another, would beexpected to produce the loss of about 40+dB. Testing by these inventorsand their colleagues has found negligible loss in the 0.6 to 30 MHz bandwhen signals pass through electric meters. A batch of electric meters ofdifferent vintages was tested. While a major loss in excess of 20 dB wasobserved in the field, this loss was caused not by the meter, but bycombining losses within the circuit breaker box adjacent to the meter.

Losses in the circuit breaker box are best understood by viewing thebreaker box as a junction of many different circuits. A signal arrivingfrom any circuit must be divided by the equivalent impedance of theother connected circuits. For simplicity of analysis, each circuit isassumed to be electrically identical and offer the same impedance. Somultiple circuits effectively create a voltage divider for the incomingsignal. A signal coming in on any particular circuit is split intomultiple branches at the circuit breaker box. If, for example, each ofthe circuits is assumed to have an impedance of 50 ohms, the incomingsignal would be divided by “n” circuits. The resulting signal loss is 20Log n, where n is the number circuits. If n were 15 (circuit breakers),then the parallel resistance would be about 1/15th of 50 ohms or 3.333ohms. Since we assumed a series resistance of 50 ohms, the outputvoltage is reduced by a factor of 3.33/53.33=0.062 or--about 24 dB.

The assumption of 50 ohms is a simplification for tutorial purposesonly. In the real world, the impedance of each circuit is different andis a frequency dependent complex function. The point is that the greaterthe number of branch circuits, the greater the attenuation expected.Joining multiple circuit breakers in tandem exacerbates the splittingeffect.

This simplified view offers insight as to why PLA works so well forsmall homes, but is less effective in larger ones. Larger houses tend touse multiple circuit breaker boxes, which cascade signal splitting. Amore elaborate analysis, which stops short of articulating this insight,is found in Ioannis C. Papaleonidopoulos, Christakis A Ioannou,Constantinos G. Karagiannopoulos and Nickolas J. Theodorou,“Branched-Bus HF Power-Delay-Profile Approach of Indoor PLC Channels”2005 International Symposium on Power Line Communications and itsApplications, pp 147-51, 0-7803-8844-5/05. In this paper, attenuation aswell as signal reflection and scatter were estimated for each wire andeach termination, and the estimates compared with measured data. Toachieve a precise estimation of the effect of various impairments, thetransmission line length and impedance of the pieces of house wiringwere input, as well as the distances to the pieces of wire in the house.Further, the loads connected to the wires were estimated. Additionalissues with this paper include the difference between European two-wireand US three-wire systems, which correspond to European single phasepower and US two-phase power. Moreover, the living space analyzed wasrelatively small in comparison to larger homes the United States.

The simplified signal distribution analysis suggested to these inventorsis that placing an enhanced PLA “close” to a breaker box with arepeating capability could significantly improve overall performance.(The Papaleonidopoulos article does not mention or lead one to thisconclusion.) By “close”, we mean at or near the closest in distanceavailable power outlet from the building's electric meter.

Device Including Data Collection and an Isolating Filter

In one embodiment, an enhanced PLA is able to operate with HomePlug AVPLAs from multiple manufacturers. In the following discussion, we usethe shorthand designation “Uberbox” to refer to these enhanced PLAs.Each “Uberbox” has a number of capabilities beyond the usual PLA,including the capability to probe and report the transmission andreception capacity of each PLA on the network to every other PLA, or atleast those “visible”.

Alternatively, the Uberbox could establish connections to the visiblePLAs and report the operating parameters established. Optionally,transmission rate reporting may be combined with an Isolator so thatpower from the wall outlet to which the Uberbox is attached can also besupplied to a noisy or low impedance device without noise or attenuationfrom the device significantly degrading the network. As a furtheroption, the Uberbox may repeat packets to bridge segments of a physicalpower line medium to link nodes not otherwise visible to each other.

Viewing the entire network as a whole reveals different data rates amongdevices in the network. Nominal input and output rates can be obtainedfrom general use PLAs they “see”. The Uberbox does this and optionallyrecords and stores measured data rates to and from every PLA on thenetwork, as its view is that of a total system. As described, if adevice's receive data rate is much lower than its transmit data rate,this strongly suggests a source of noise at or near the device, so theoverall view of the Uberbox provides a rapid indication of problemsanywhere in the network.

In one embodiment, the Uberbox contains resources to support a Linuximplementation. With the Linux or other operating system, the Uberboxmay support all levels of the ISO seven-layer architecture model, incontrast to standard PLAs which support only levels 1 and 2.Customization, field updating and alternative data translations can besupported by logic and resources running higher protocol levels,including downloading updated software.

The Uberbox also may or may not include an Isolator. The Isolatorperforms two functions. First, it decouples the effect of electronicdevices containing front end capacitors, such as computers, powerstrips, etc., which short out or attenuate the transmission from the PLAvia RF on power lines. Second, the Isolator removes noise coming from anoisy appliance connected to the home wiring.

FIGS. 3-4 depict alternative enclosures that physically cover bothoutlets of a dual wall socket. One or more output electrical sockets 240are connected 210 to the power line via a protective Isolator filter, asillustrated in FIG. 2. This filter 220 is designed to operate at thefrequencies used by the PLA 230 and, in this embodiment, handles a loadof up to 15 amps. This load allows a user to safely plug in a computerand power strips without impairing the PLA performance. The enclosureincludes an electrical plug that fits into one receptacle of the dualelectrical wall socket. The electrical plug is connected to a firstterminal of one or more inductive elements. The inductive elementpresents high impedance to carrier currents in the approximate frequencyrange of 0.6 to 30 MHz. The Isolator can be as simple as a wire inductorwith an inductance on the order of 1 to 5 or more Micro henries. Thetable below shows useful impedances in the frequency range of interestin terms of inductive reactance in ohms.

1 Micro 5 Micro henries henries  2 MHZ 25.1 125.5  4 MHz 50.2 251.0  8MHz 100.5 502.5 16 MHz 200.1 1000. 32 MHz 400.2 2001

In an Isolator, the second terminal of the inductive element isconnected to one side of at least one output electrical socket mountedon the surface of the enclosure.

As mentioned above it is important that when an electrical outlet 600includes two or more wall sockets 240, 602, see FIG. 6B, otherelectrical devices that may create interference with the PLA not pluggedinto the unused wall socket. One way of helping to achieve this isthrough the use of PLA enclosure 604. Enclosure 604 includes housing 606having a back 608 and a number of receptacles 610 for receipt of one ormore lines 612. Enclosure 604 also includes a mounting plate 614slideably mounted to back 608 for movement between a use orientation,shown in FIG. 6 and an install orientation, shown in FIG. 6A. Housing606 also includes an electrical plug 616 extending from back 608. Plug616 includes blades 618 and ground pin 620. Blades 618 and ground pin620 extend through cutouts 622 in mounting plate 614 so not to hinderthe movement of mounting plate 614 between the use and installorientations.

PLA enclosure 604 is typically mounted to electrical outlet 600 with theconventional cover plate, typically used to cover the opening 624created for the electrical outlet, removed. However, PLA enclosure 604could also be configured for use when a conventional cover plate is usedto cover electrical outlet 600.

Mounting plate 614 has, in this example, three mounting slots 626, 627,628. Mounting slots 626, 628 are used when electrical outlet 600 usestwo cover plate mounting screws 630, shown in broken lines in FIG. 6B,while mounting slot 627 is used when electrical outlet 600 uses asingle, central cover plate mounting screw 632. Mounting slots 626, 627and 628 are straight. The mounting slots each include an enlargedportion 634 and a narrower portion 636; see FIG. 6C. The mounting slotscould also have other shapes to accommodate different directions ofmovement of mounting plate 614 between the use and install orientationsand could have enlarged portion 634 at different positions along theslot. The narrower portion 636 of mounting slot 627 is seen to mergeinto slot 622. Similarly, mounting slot 626 has an extended length toaccommodate an alignment pin 638, discussed below, which extends fromback 608 of the housing 606, during the movement of mounting plate 614.

To mount PLA enclosure 604 to electrical outlet 600, mounting plate 614is placed in the install orientation of FIG. 6A. Plug 616 is thenplugged into the upper wall socket 602 of FIG. 6B with blades 618entering the blade openings 640 and ground pin 620 a entering pinopening 642 of wall socket 602. During this insertion, the head 644 ofcover plate mounting screw 646, which has been positioned to extend anappropriate distance outwardly, passes into enlarged portion 634 ofmounting slot 627 and alignment pin 638 passes into opening 642 of thelower wall socket 602. The user then slides mounting plate 614downwardly to cause head 644 of mounting screw 646 to move into thenarrower portion 636 of slot 627 thus effectively securing PLA enclosure604 to electrical outlet 600. This positioning of mounting screw 646within narrow portion 636 is shown in FIG. 6.

In some examples it may be desired to use a replacement mounting screw650 as shown in FIG. 6D. Mounting screw 650 includes a threaded end 652and a head end 654. Head end 654 includes an outer larger diameterregion 656, an inner larger diameter region 658 and a smaller diameterregion 660 there between. Replacement mounting screw 650 helps to ensurea snug, secure attachment between mounting plate 614 and the mountingscrew.

In some examples it is desired that when mounting plate 614 is in theuse orientation of FIG. 6, that removal of PLA enclosure 604 be at leasthindered or made somewhat difficult. In the example of FIG. 6 mountingplate 614 has an end portion 664 configured to lie adjacent to arecessed portion 666 of housing 606. While with some examples it may bepossible to grasp and pull end portion 664 upwardly to the installorientation, at which point the head(s) of the mounting screw(s) will bewithin the enlarged portion(s) 634 of the mounting slot(s) permittingremoval of PLA enclosure 604 from electrical outlet 600, in otherexamples doing so may require the use of a tool of some sort. This maybe especially beneficial to help prevent the removal of PLA enclosure604 by small children or the inadvertent removal of PLA enclosure 604 byothers. Other techniques for effectively preventing or hindering themovement of mounting plate 614 to the installation orientation of FIG.6A may be used.

A second terminal directly connects the wall socket to the second outputof the electrical socket mounted on the enclosure.

Alternatively, a short cable with the plug 240, 602 can connect the wallsocket to the enclosure and a child protective plastic socket cover canbe used to block the unused portion of the dual outlet. This willprevent noisy or attenuating connections from being made.

Remote Diagnostics

In a continuous diagnostics configuration, the Uberbox is constantlylooking for devices that cause noise. Every noise source will have asignature in time and frequency. The processor in the Uberbox mayanalyze the frequency spectrum in the impaired direction. Or it mighttransmit data to a remote site for analysis. Different noise sourcestend to have different spectra, across the approximately 1500 tones inthe 0.6 to 30 MHz spectrum used for OFDM signals by HomePlug AV PLA.Spectral analysis can provide a secondary clue as to the type of noiseand its general location, as do start and stop times for noise.Continuous monitoring can identify when performance drops and when itreturns to normal. A change in noise level is generally associated withan appliance turning on and off or being plugged into a wall outlet.

A third party performing ongoing remote diagnostics relieves the user ofhaving to understand the implications of tests that the Uberbox canconduct. Transmitting the data to a remote site allows intelligentsystems or experts in the performance of systems to unravel the data. Atleast some home communications networks will be remotely monitored by adiagnostic center, which receives data via the Internet. The diagnosticsdata center is capable of detecting operational abnormalities withinnodes. The data provided may include the amplitude and signal-to-noiseratio for each carrier frequency in the OFDM spectrum.

Background tests can also be initiated remotely by the diagnostic centeras needed and guidance provided to the end user as to the existence of anew or continual source of noise. If a significant impairment isdetected, an e-mail can be sent to the home network owner noting that areduction in performance was spotted. The diagnostic system can reportthe likely location of the problem, the type of device possibly causingthe performance problem and times when the impairments started andstopped. The notice e-mail may offer the user further help fromdiagnostic center, either in the form of an intelligent system or anexpert. An appointment can be made or the diagnostic center can be onstandby for assistance calls. To confirm remote diagnosis, thediagnostic center may ask the homeowner to turn off a potential noisesource, unplug it or use an Isolator between the device and the walloutlet.

A sophisticated user could be offered the alternative of directingdiagnostic traffic to a device in the home, such as an owned laptop ordesktop or a rented device, which has been loaded with diagnosticsoftware. As a second diagnostic level for problems not resolved byusing the diagnostic software could be escalated to the remotediagnostic center.

Additional Detail of Diagnostic Capabilities

An Isolator unit can be used as a test device. Instead of turning offdevices plugged into nearby sockets, the corrective recommendation wouldbe for the user to plug the Isolator onto the end of the line cord ofthe suspected device. If an improvement is noted, the user would beinformed. This method of testing provides a convenient way for the userto understand the effectiveness of Isolators and would lead to onlinepurchase of additional Isolator units as needed. The Isolator unitscould be shipped and charged against a stored credit card number that isbeing used to pay for continuous monitoring of the home network.

Weak phase coupling also can be spotted by an Uberbox. Houses in theUnited States are generally wired as 120-0-120 volts to allow largerappliances to operate on 240 V. There are two separate 120 V circuitswith the phase difference. Carrier signals are capacitively coupled fromone phase to the other via the incidental capacitive coupling of the two120 volt lines twisted together from the power pole to the house. Whileinadequate phase coupling is not typically a problem in the 0.6+MHzrange, there can be no guarantee that coupling will in all cases beideal or adequate for PLAs on one phase speaking to PLAs on anotherphase. The Uberbox contains a phase measuring capability so that phasecoupling problems between the two separate 120 V circuits can beevaluated and reported, either by the remote diagnostic center orsoftware run locally on the home network that evaluates data from theUberbox.

Noise from outside the home network also can be spotted. Unwantedsignals can enter from adjacent houses via the power line. These signalstypically will be significantly reduced in magnitude and usually willnot interfere. As each house uses different cryptographic keys, privatedata would not be compromised. In the course of tracking down noisesource impairment on the home network, pinpointing noise as originatingoutside the home network is useful. Comparing the noise signature atmultiple points, one closer to the power entry and at least one pointfurther away the entry can suggest an outside source as the culprit.

Interference between incompatible powerline adapters, such as DS2adapters made in Spain versus Intellon's AV product can be detected byspectral analysis. The DS2 company introduced its chip and product,claiming to have a raw data speed of 200 MHz, prior to finalization ofthe standard for Intellon's introduction of the HomePlug AV product. Asa result, many DS2 units are installed. Unfortunately, DS2 and Intellondid not coordinate their signal spectrum assessment. Therefore, DS2devices can appear as major noise sources on a HomePlug network. Bycomparing the expected spectrum of the DS2 with the received spectrum atan enhanced powerline adapter, the presence of this noise source can bediagnosed.

Electrical device power consumption signatures can be identified. Anumber of papers have been written by researchers at MIT evaluating datathat indicates which electrical appliances were on or off whenmonitoring current flow through an electric meter. The papers addresspower consumption of different devices by recording total consumptionand then determining which power devices turn on or off at any instantto determine true power usage. Equipping the Uberbox with components tomonitor electric consumption and conducting interactive, software-guideddevice activation and deactivation can inform the user regarding homepower consumption.

As described, the ideal theoretical location of an Uberbox is within thefirst circuit breaker box, which is connected to the existing electricmeter. A benefit of this location is that in one embodiment currentsensors could be added to the house power line and connect to a versionof the Uberbox that would also measure electrical consumption data inreal time. This would also require the addition of an electric meteringchip. These are now made by several manufacturers. One suchrepresentative chip would be the ADE7753 by Analog Devices. Thisarrangement is not intended to eliminate the revenue meter owned by theelectric utility. Rather it would provide a real time measurement neededfor energy saving without requiring electric utility approval. Byturning appliances on and off, the homeowner can learn about the cost ofoperating appliances. Studies show that this leads to electricity usagereduction.

Different Isolator packaging would be used for devices plugged into thewall, as distinct from those permanently wired. Permanently wired noisesources can usually be spotted by turning a wall switch on and off.Isolating noise caused by permanently wired devices may require anelectrician to install an Isolator filtering device, as these unitswould likely have wire leads, in lieu of a simple plug and socketarrangement. Most houses are wired with separate circuits for lights andfloor outlets with wire runs to the breaker box for permanent lighting.This arrangement tends to provide sufficient attenuation of noise tominimize interference. Large electric motors of appliances such asdishwashers, refrigerators and washing machines are usually connectedwith plugs and, therefore, can be handled by user installed plug-inIsolators.

While only a single Uberbox is needed in a network of conventional PLAs,it is helpful to use two Uberboxes. Having a pair of Uberboxes allowsdiagnosis by exchanging the position of the units. A significantdifference in performance when the location of the units is swapped canbe diagnosed as a defective unit.

An additional benefit of having two Uberboxes is that they can beconnected to two different metropolitan network gateways using differentmedia, such as DSL and cable modem, to provide redundantly reliablemonitoring, for instance in the case of medical or geriatric monitoring.

When there is only a single Uberbox, a preferred mounting location forthe Uberbox is close to the incoming powerline breaker box.

It should be recognized that the analysis of data can be performedeither by humans or intelligence systems. The diagnostic functionsdescribed in this disclosure are fundamentally deterministic. A treediagram can be drawn to illustrate a diagnostic protocol. While someforms of diagnostics require interaction between the user and datacollection, this can be automated via a website or conducted with a liveexpert at a time of convenience chosen by the user.

Results of Prototype Testing Test Environment

Early prototypes of the Uberbox were tested in a one-story rambling 60year old house having a mixture of various vintages of knob and tubewiring plus more recent wiring. The house had two breaker boxes,presenting a more challenging environment than the average house. Asecond set of tests were run in a one-story, 13,800 square feetcommercial building with multiple small tenant offices. Officesgenerally housed one or more small computer systems.

In the second test, five networks were constructed. Network 1 used anUberbox to couple an Ethernet connection to the building wiring thebuilding's electrical wiring. Network 2 connected three computerslocated at different points around the building each with their ownUberboxes. Network 3 used a power over Ethernet (PoE) type Uberbox toreach a WiFi access point to reach multiple lap top computers in thebuilding. Network 4 used a PoE type Uberbox to connect an MPEG-4 camerato the network. Network 5, was a cluster of four commercially availableHomePlug AV units (not Uberboxes) using coaxial cable in lieu of thepower lines to observe operation in an essentially noise freeenvironment.

Results of Test

The preliminary gross verification of principles tests were successful.The larger the house and more breaker boxes, the greater the challengeand the payoff for repeating could be seen.

In the 13,800 sq. ft. office building seven of eight Uberboxes pluggedinto readily accessible sockets were able to see one another throughoutthe building and produced acceptable data rates. One socket was not“visible” from one or more other sockets. This was overcome using a twohop connection.

There is a fundamental limitation on using a repeater, because HomePlugshares a single common spectrum among all devices. Therefore, thespectrum capacity must be divided among the devices attemptingrepeating. An intelligent computer worked significantly better inrelaying operation than operating a pair of off the shelf HomePlug AVPLAs connected together to form a relay.

Flow Chart

FIG. 7 is a flowchart that covers both diagnostic and retailing stepsstarting with a first time user ordering service via the Internet. Itshould be understood that actions depicted in the flowchart can usefullybe grouped in many different ways. It is not necessary to perform all ofthe steps in the flowchart to take advantage of the technology of thisdisclosure; the steps can be combined in many ways.

Initial consumer input 701 includes a customer answering questions,preferably filling out an interactive questionnaire. One set ofquestions includes the number of points that the customer wishes toconnect and the data rates desired at the connection points. Another setasks about the number of circuit breaker boxes in the house and thenumber of circuit breaker levers in each box. It also would ask theapproximate distance of the first wall connected outlet socket from eachof the breakers. Another set, related to retailing, would inquire abouthow quickly that user wants to complete network set up, which mightdetermine the method of shipment or whether to send the user to a localretailer.

A recommendation generator 702 judges, based on the number circuitbreakers in each box, the likelihood of requiring a repeater near abreaker box. Other components, such as Uberboxes and one or moreisolators without powerline adapters may be prepackaged as a starter kitor individually recommended to the user.

The output of the recommendation generator is sent back to the customer703 in the form of a list of recommended equipment, together withestimated prices and the disclaimer that additional equipment might beneeded, depending on the result of initial tests. The user responds byselecting equipment, which is either shipped the user 704 or availablefrom a local retailer. Preferably, a sturdy reusable shipping containeris sent to the user, to be re-used in case of returns. Units shippedtogether will be cryptographically configured to work together withoutfurther configuration.

User instructed set up 705 includes plugging units into designated wallsockets. The customer receives the box and a customized web link orlogon that connects diagnostics back to the original recommendation.

System diagnostics are established 706 by a network connection with aremote diagnostic center or, optionally, with diagnostic software loadedonto a home computer. In a hybrid approach, initial system diagnosticscan be conducted with the remote diagnostic center and continuousmonitoring with the computer in the home. Effective data rate and/orspectral analysis can be performed. One or more Uberboxes can performthe analysis with all of the powerline adapters that they can see.Alternatively, pair wise analysis can be performed among all thepowerline adapter devices. Evaluation of data rates and/or spectralanalysis is used to identify noise and/or attenuation problems. Spectralanalysis helps identify likely causes with particularity. The Uberboxesforward data 707 to the diagnostic software.

Recommendations are made to the customer 708. For example, it may benecessary to isolate known noise sources. A suspected device may beturned off, disconnected or coupled through an isolator to the powerline709. Analysis while the suspected device is isolated would confirmwhether the suspicion was correct. Recommendations might include addinga repeater at a trial location, for instance, to span circuit breakerboxes, or adding a WiFi repeater in particularly difficult situations.Additional components 710 can be shipped directly to the user, if timepermits, or obtained from a local retailer.

Remote diagnosis also supports return-to-manufacturer authorizations(“RMAs”) 711, should troubleshooting fail to enhance performance of thepowerline adapter network to an acceptable level.

Long-term monitoring 713 can be performed by a remote diagnostic centeror by software loaded onto a home computer. Long-term monitoring canidentify intermittent noise sources by the time of day that theyoperate. It can detect degradation in parts of the network over time.Recommendations and/or assurances to the user can be sent out as neededor on a predetermined schedule.

Some Particular Embodiments

The present invention may be practiced as a method or one or moredevices adapted to practice the method. The same method can be viewedfrom the perspective of a user, an enhanced powerline adapter,diagnostic software running on a node of the same network segment as theenhanced powerline adapters, or a remote diagnostic center interactingwith the enhanced powerline adapters. The invention may be an article ofmanufacture such as media impressed with logic to carry outcomputer-assisted network diagnostics.

One embodiment is a method of locating a performance problem in anetwork of powerline adapters connected to power lines in a home to forma home networking system. The method alternatively could be applied tosetting up a network of powerline adapters or monitoring the performanceof the adapters. In any of these application environments, the methodincludes electronically collecting 820 in and out data bit rateseffective at the PLAs. Because the input rate for one of a pair PLAs isthe output rate of the other unit, the enhanced PLA can collect the datadesired without collecting both in and out rates from each node. Logicand resources (or hardware and software) incorporated in the PLAscollects the in and out data bit rates in at least two ways. First, theeffective data rates can be the negotiated data rates 821. The PLAsnegotiate pairwise their allowable data rates. As operating conditionschange and bit error rates are observed by the PLAs, the data rates maybe renegotiated. A particular PLA advertises the data rate at which itwill receive data. Given the negotiation protocol for data rates, thenegotiated data rates and bit loading of individual channels may beexpressed as a function of measured signal-to-noise ratios.Alternatively, effective data rates can be measured data throughput 822.For instance, a data throughput test can be run. With user agreement,the test can be run on demand. For continuous monitoring, the testpreferably is run in the background without interfering with networkusage or at a prescheduled time. Or, when significant data flows arepart of the network usage, such as copying large files from one deviceto another, the throughput from actual usage can be measured. Eitherpermitted (negotiated) data rates or actual (measured) data rates can betaken as in and out data bit rates effective at the PLAs.

This method continues with identifying a discrepancy 830 between the inand out data bit rates 831 at a particular PLA as indicating a noisesource close to the particular PLA. A discrepancy can be calculated as aratio of data rates. A discrepancy can be indicated by evaluating aratio or difference between in and out data rates or by applying otheralgebraic or bit logic operations on the rate data. The identificationof a discrepancy preferably involves an automatic, computer implementedcalculation and evaluation.

The method also includes perceptibly signaling a user 840 to correct thenoise source at the particular PLA. One perceptible signal describedabove is an e-mail, which a user reads. Many alternative ways ofsignaling a user at a computer can be used, such as pop-ups, flashingicons or audible signals. Another perceptible signal could come from anindicator built into the PLA. Depending on the indicator, it couldsignal for correction of a noise source local to the particular PLAhaving the indicator 841. Or, it could include a display that identifiesthe PLA experiencing the noise.

Another embodiment of locating a performance problem in a network ofpowerline adapters substitutes electronically collecting received ToneMap spectra data 832 from enhanced PLAs for collecting data in and outrates 831. This alternative involves the enhanced PLAs characterizingthe spectra that they receive using a spectrum analyzer, which would notbe found in a consumer product, commercially available PLA as of 2007.The PLA may analyze the spectra or forward characterization data todiagnostic software for analysis. Analysis of received spectrapreferably compares received spectra with expected spectra of apredetermined test sequence. Alternatively, spectra can be analyzedagainst expected network usage.

This method variation continues with identifying a discrepancy betweenthe received spectra at the particular PLA and a predetermined spectraldistribution as indicating a noise source close to the particular PLA.As described above, Tone Map spectra analysis can be extended toidentifying, from a spectral signature, one or more types of deviceslikely to be causing the noise 843. Tone Map spectral analysis also canbe applied to evaluating attenuation 842 by devices that use up frontcapacitors to suppress RF emanations.

As described for the data rate embodiment, the spectral analysisembodiment also includes perceptibly signaling a user to correct thenoise source at the particular PLA. Collectively, we refer to these asthe first pair of method embodiments.

One aspect of the first pair of method embodiments is interactive,guided trouble shooting 850. A user can interact with a remotediagnostic center or with software running on a node of the same networksegment as the PLAs. The interaction includes transmitting the in andout data rates 831 and/or the received spectra data or analysis of thereceived spectra data 832 from one or more of the PLAs to a computerdevice running diagnostic software. The method continues 860 withmeasuring a change in performance using the diagnostic software as theuser takes one or more corrective actions 861-864 and perceptiblysignaling whether the corrective action has been effective 870.Preferably, the interaction includes suggesting one or more correctiveactions for the user to take. These suggestions can be madeautomatically by software or can be made by staff of a remote diagnosticcenter based on the transmitted data. The user indicates when thecorrective actions have been implemented. Additional data is collectedand analyzed. A perceptible signal is generated that indicates whetherthe corrective action has been effective. Trouble shooting may proceediteratively, with various corrective actions or combinations ofcorrective actions.

Yet another embodiment provides a method of locating a noise producer orsignal attenuator and recommending installation of an isolation filter863 to reduce noise or attenuation at a wall socket used to connect thepowerline adapter to a powerline in a home to form a home networkingsystem. This method begins with plugging in a first enhanced PLA into apowerline at a first location in home or other building (collectivelyreferred to as “the home”). The enhanced PLA includes basic capabilitiesto communicate with other PLAs at data rates adapted to noise andattenuation and enhanced testing capabilities to at least forwardperformance data for diagnostic purposes. Additional PLAs are pluggedin. These PLAs may be enhanced or not. The wall sockets that they pluginto at additional locations are coupled by power lines in the house tothe first PLA.

The first and additional PLAs connect to one another or at least to thefirst PLA. At least the first PLA collects 820 effective bit rates821-822 for communication with the additional PLAs, and at least thefirst PLA forwards the effective bit rates data, for instance, via theInternet, to a remote diagnostics center. The user receives a reportfrom the remote diagnostic center that includes at least recommendationsto correct performance deficiencies in communications among the PLAs, asindicated by discrepancies in the data bit rates. The report also mayinclude qualitative or quantitative descriptions of performance 842 ofthe first and additional PLAs.

Any of the foregoing method embodiments may further include a useraccessing the website and establishing a test plan 850, 940 for couplingthe additional PLAs to the power lines at the additional locations.Optionally, unique identifiers of the PLAs, such as MAC addresses, wouldbe associated with descriptive names assigned by the user. Preferably,evaluation of PLA performance could be conducted during the samesession. The report received by the user from the remote diagnosticcenter would include qualitative or quantitative descriptions ofperformance 842 of the first and additional PLAs. If the user assignednames, the report would use those names.

The foregoing method embodiments may further include provisioning thehome powerline network in an interactive session with the user. The useraccesses the website 910 and provides counts of circuit boxes, breakersin the circuit boxes and PLA connections to be supported. The desireddata rates or usage type for the PLA connections optionally may besupplied. The user receives from the website a list of recommendedcomponents 920 to be used in the home powerline network. Thesecomponents may be purchased by the user from the operator of the website930 or at a local retail outlet.

Remote diagnostic efforts may be iterative 875. The user may implementat least some of the recommendations received 860 and the home networkmay interact with the website or other diagnostic system to repeat theactions of determining effective bit rates, forwarding the effective bitrates and receiving a report.

A further method embodiment, which may be combined with other aspectsdescribed above, is for another method of diagnosing whether to installan isolator 863 or take other steps 861, 862, 864 to reduce noise at anoutlet used to connect the powerline adapter to a power line in a home.This method includes coupling a first enhanced PLA into a power line 811at a first premises location, wherein the enhanced PLA includes basiccapabilities to negotiate asymmetrical OFDM data exchanges with otherPLAs and enhanced capabilities to at least forward the negotiated dataexchange rates. The method includes coupling a second PLA to a powerline 812 at one or more additional premises locations that are coupledby the power line to the first PLA 813. The first PLA forwards at leastthe negotiated data exchange rates between the first and second PLA toan evaluation component 830. The user receives and, in at least somecases of asymmetry between the negotiated data exchange rates, aperceptible signal 840 that alerts the user that the noise has beendetected at one of the PLAs and that corrective action should be taken.

As previously described, the evaluation component 830 may beoff-premises and data forwarded, for instance, via the Internet. Then,the user receives an e-mail message or other communication from theoff-premises evaluation component with a recommendation for correctivesteps to be taken.

This further method embodiment may be combined with the website access,with the testing plan, or with the website recommended components listaspects of prior embodiments.

Any of the foregoing method embodiments may be extended by establishinga test plan that includes coupling one or more enhanced PLAs to powerlines near one or more circuit boxes 811. Or, they may be enhanced byforwarding the effective data bit rates repeatedly over a period ofhours or weekly so that the user may receive reports that include timesof day when noise sources appeared and abated. Detection of noisesources by discrepancies between in and out data bit rates 831 can becombined with spectral analysis 832. Spectral analysis permits thereports received by the user to address both likely device types causingnoise on the powerline and excessive attenuation due to certain devicesbeing plugged to a socket very close to the socket used for the PLA. Thespectral analysis also permits the reports received by the user toidentify incompatible PLAs that create noise and that fail to exchangedata with the first enhanced PLA. Historical data and spectral analysiscan be used separately or combined to enhance noise detectioncapabilities.

Each of the methods described above can be recast from the perspectiveof the remote diagnostic center or diagnostic software system thatinteracts with the first PLA. The first pair of method embodimentscorresponds to a pair of device embodiments. These diagnostic deviceembodiments include software running on a computer device 1000 that isin communication with at least one enhanced PLA 1040. In this context, acomputer device may include a wide range of logic processing devices1010, such as ASIC or RISC processors, digital signal processors, gatearrays or custom processors. The logic and resources of the diagnosticdevice 1030 are adapted to receive data electronically collected by theenhanced PLA and to analyze the data to identify a discrepancy asindicating a noise source close to a particular PLA. The identity of theparticular PLA is received from the enhanced PLA. The logic andresources may identify a discrepancy based on differences between in andout data bit rates at a particular PLA or a difference between the ToneMap received spectra at the particular PLA and a predetermined spectraldistribution. The logic and resources are adapted to perceptibly signalthe user 1050 to correct the noise source at the particular PLA. Thesignal may be an e-mail or message displayed during an interactivesession with a website, or it may take any of the other forms describedabove.

The diagnostic device may further include logic and resources tocontinuously or repeatedly receive data electronically collected fromthe enhanced PLA. It may receive this data electronically over a periodof hours, days, weeks, etc. The data received over time can be used toestablish a pattern of noise sources that intermittently appear anddisappear or to protect against degradation of the network.

The diagnostic device may interact with the user 1050, make specificcorrective recommendations and perceptibly signal the user as to whetherthe corrective actions are effective.

The diagnostic device may be linked to a procurement website thatinteracts with the user to collect data 1020 about user requirements andprovide the user with a list of recommended components. The procurementwebsite may sell the components to the user and arrange for fulfillment.The user interaction with the procurement website 1020 is recorded andavailable for use by the diagnostic device 1030.

An alternative description of a diagnostic system that applies themethods described above is as a remote diagnostic center that generatesrecommendations to improve performance of the home networking system.The home networking system includes a plurality of powerline adaptersplugged into wall sockets in a home or other building and coupled to theremote diagnostic center by a network. The diagnostic system 1000includes an initial customer input component 1020, hosted on a server1010, adapted to receive input from the user. The input received fromthe user includes at least the number of network connections via PLArequired, including data rates of the connections and a description ofcircuit breaker boxes in the home, including the number of circuitbreakers in each box. The initial customer input component is furtheradapted to provide the user with a diagnostic plan for locating thePLAs, including at least one enhanced PLA that includes basiccapabilities to communicate with other PLAs at data rates adapted tonoise attenuation and enhanced testing capabilities to at least forwardperformance data for diagnostic purposes.

The diagnostic system further includes a system diagnosis component1030, hosted on a server 1010 and having access to the diagnostic plan1020. The system diagnosis component is adapted to receive a connectionrequest from the enhanced PLA. It is further adapted to monitor andreceive data according to the diagnostic plan that describes performanceof communications among the PLAs. It is adapted to reportrecommendations perceptibly to a user. The recommendations are forcorrecting performance deficiencies in the communications among thePLAs.

The system diagnosis component may be further adapted to receive thedata rates and received spectra data from at least the enhanced PLA.This component distinguishes between noise and attenuation problems andmakes recommendations to the user based on analysis of the bit datarates and received spectra data.

The system diagnosis component may be further adapted to request thatthe user alternatively unplug a device, turn off the device or insert anisolation filter between the device and a wall socket, in order todiagnose any noise generated by the device. The system diagnosiscomponent may use any of the three approaches to isolating the devicefrom a wall socket. Preferably, an isolation filter is inserted, becausethat demonstrates to the user the effectiveness of the isolation filter,which may be a more practical approach than discontinuing use of thedevice. The system diagnosis component is further adapted to monitor andreceive data and evaluate the effectiveness of the user implementing therequest.

A further group of embodiments are machine readable media impressed withsource or object code that implements any of the methods above or thatcan be combined with a computer to form any of the devices above. Themachine readable media may be a rotating media or a solid-state media.It may be a buffer into which a data stream is received. By machinereadable media, we mean to include, to the extent permitted by patentlaw, manufacturing a machine readable media impressed with source orobject code transmitting a data stream to a buffer with the intent thatthe data stream will be persisted and will include in source or objectcode that implements any of the methods above or they can be combinedwith a computer to form any of the devices above.

Applications

Low-cost setup and diagnosis of powerline adapter networks may enable avariety of applications not hitherto practical. For example, there is aneed for reliably established networks in mall retail stores. Therequirements for this application include for instance, digitalhigh-resolution color cameras using power over Ethernet (“PoE”). Suchnetworks could support electric power monitoring, data transmission,virtual PBX telephone services and alarm monitoring for retail outlets.In a wide variety of businesses, electric cost reduction could beachieved by combining power monitoring with powerline adapters. Powermonitoring devices could be built with or without isolation filters andwith or without Ethernet adapters. The power monitor would sense thatthe appliance connected to it was being turned on and measure the powerconsumption. This would be particularly effective in California, whichhas a very high progressive usage tariff and is considering time of daytariffs. Japan's EPRI estimates that a 15 percent reduction in powerusage could be achieved by users who are aware of actual powerconsumption throughout their building. In hot and cold climates, heatingand cooling cost reductions could be achieved. The home power systemcould be a more effective way of retrofitting buildings with multiplethermostats and room temperature controls than wirelessly connectedunits. In buildings where multiple telephone outlets are desired,existing telephones could be plugged into the nearest wall socket withthe powerline adapter translating the phone signals to an appropriateprotocol. For instance, the powerline adapter could convert analogsignals to voice over IP (“VOIP”) signals and route them to a carrier.Or, the powerline adapter could convert analog signals to a formatcompatible with an in-home PBX or an in-home adapter to a plain oldtelephone system (“POTS”) analog phone line. In buildings withtelevisions, powerline adapters could deliver television over IP(“IPTV”) to IP enabled devices at data rates adequate to support HDTV.Another application indicative of those that require a more reliablenetwork than possible with wi-fi and existing PLA networks would be thein-home monitoring of patients, particularly aged patients, enabled bylow-cost devices placed throughout the home. It is estimated that 95percent of the elderly desire to remain in their home as long aspossible. Remote television cameras and speakerphones coupled withmotion detectors and conveniently located panic buttons have beenproposed. A reliable and remotely monitored network could be safe enoughfor health-related applications.

While the present invention is disclosed by reference to the preferredembodiments and examples detailed above, it is understood that theseexamples are intended in an illustrative rather than in a limitingsense. Computer-assisted processing is implicated in the describedembodiments. It is contemplated that modifications and combinations willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, which modifications andcombinations will be within the spirit of the invention and the scope ofthe following claims.

1. A method of locating a performance problem in a network of powerlineadapters (PLAs) connected to power lines in a home to form a homenetworking system, the method comprising: electronically collecting inand out data bit rates effective at the PLAs; identifying a discrepancybetween the in and out data bit rates at a particular PLA that indicatesa noise source close to the particular PLA; and perceptibly signaling auser to correct the noise source.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: transmitting the in and out data rates from one or more ofthe PLAs to a computer running diagnostic software; and measuring achange in performance using the diagnostic software as the user takesone or more corrective actions and perceptibly signaling to the userwhether the corrective action has been effective.
 3. The method of claim1, wherein the effective bit rate at the particular PLA is an in databit rate set by the particular PLA.
 4. The method of claim 1, whereinthe effective bit rate at the particular PLA is a measured data bitrate.
 5. A method of locating a performance problem in a network ofenhanced powerline adapters (PLAs) connected to power lines in a home toform a home networking system, the method comprising: electronicallycollecting received spectra data from the enhanced PLAs; identifying adiscrepancy between the received spectra at the particular PLA and apredetermined spectral distribution as indicating a noise source closeto the particular PLA; and perceptibly signaling a user to correct thenoise source at the particular PLA.
 6. The method of claim 5, furthercomprising: transmitting the received spectra data from one or more ofthe enhanced PLAs to a computer device running diagnostic software; andmeasuring a change in performance using the diagnostic software as theuser takes one or more corrective actions and perceptibly signalingwhether the corrective action has been effective.
 7. The method of claim5, wherein the received spectra data measures reception of a known testsignal sent to the particular PLA.
 8. The method of claim 5, wherein thereceived spectra data measures reception of general network trafficreceived by the particular PLA.